United Airlines will become the first U.S. carrier to offer nonstop service between North America and Cape Town, South Africa, launching a seasonal route between Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and Cape Town International Airport (CPT) this December.
United has applied to the U.S. Department of Transportation for authority to operate the service. If approved, the airline plans to operate the route three times weekly during the southern hemisphere summer season.
“This new flight will provide customers with the only nonstop service between the United States and Cape Town,” said Patrick Quayle, United Airlines’ vice president of international network.
United intends to operate the route with Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft configured with business class, Economy Plus, and standard economy seating. Proposed schedules show departures from Newark at 8:30 p.m., arriving in Cape Town at approximately 6:00 p.m. the following day. The return flight is scheduled to depart Cape Town at 8:50 p.m. local time and arrive in the New York area at about 5:45 a.m. the next morning.
The proposed seasonal service would run from December 15 through March, subject to regulatory approval and final scheduling confirmation.